my aframe bolts to the rear transom boxs and i run the cables down the rear tube and into the transom box and then thru the under deck trunking to the console.
i have noticed that water gets in the aframe via the various wire access holes and runs down the inside and into the transom box.

when my aframe bolts arrive i am going to seal up the bottom of the aframe where the wires pass thru into the transom box with sikaflex and put a small hole in the side of the aframe an inch or so up to let the water out.

hopefully this will stop any ingress of water into the transom boxs.....has anyone else dealt with this issue, done something similar?

Not dealt with it myself - but on my Ribcraft the front hoop of the double a-frame deliberately has no holes as these bolt directly to the deck and any water getting into it would collect. The rear hoop (the one with all the wiring) bolts to the back of the transom so water can just flow straight out of the boat.

standard design on osprey that has been around for years i suspect, but consider this, my underdeck tubing will be in a dry location once i have this sorted out, and.....i have trunking on both sides......so the basis for it is actually quite good. plus gives me somewhere for my rear speakers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by roycruse

Not dealt with it myself - but on my Ribcraft the front hoop of the double a-frame deliberately has no holes as these bolt directly to the deck and any water getting into it would collect. The rear hoop (the one with all the wiring) bolts to the back of the transom so water can just flow straight out of the boat.
Who designed your A-frame to finish inside the box ???

The only reason i ask - is that we were discussing towing with your a-frame in a thread many moons ago - I seem to remember you saying that yhou would not be towing anything heavy anyway - but you though the frame was strong enough - now ive seen your pictures i think the leverege involved would smash the top of your transom box in if you put any rearward pull on that a-frame.

I had this with a few manufacturers when i was researching which RIB to buy - they did not do tow frame options as i think their attachment points were not able to take the load anyway.

now ive seen your pictures - i would have left the rear hoop undrilled and put all the cabling in the fron hoop - the cable could have then come out the bottom of the tube and through a gromet in the transom box. any water in the frame would then simply drain onto the deck.

I just spoke with mike who makes the boats and he confirmed the transom boxes are plenty strong enough

my kids are lighter than cheese puffs so i think pulling them up will be no problem.

i think filling the base of the aframe with sealant should be fine and having a drain hole or sealing at the transom box. will give it a go and see what happens.

the option of having the wire out of the front of the transom box is indeed an option but given hindsight i would still do it the way i have done so as to prevent unsightly wires and being exposed to possible damage

also on tow points.....i have 3 lifting points on the boat for craning and on the transom these double up as towing eyes as well so should present no issues there